In life and in business, bad things happen. It’s inevitable that there will be setbacks and speed bumps along the way. The secret to getting past them is to be resilient: develop the ability to deal with challenges, adapt accordingly, learn from them, and move on to not just survive, but thrive. As a business leader, with a few tips, you can develop resiliency in yourself and in your team – and the end results will be better for everyone involved.
It’s All About Mindset
Resilient people – and teams – are psychologically flexible. This means that rather than avoiding difficult emotions, they accept them and as a result, are better able to shift perspectives and move faster into positive action. Psychological flexibility helps you experience discomfort or difficulty without being overwhelmed.
- Resilient teams focus on what they can control, rather than getting stuck on circumstances or developments they can’t change. Such teams are characterized by candor, as they continually dialogue and speak the truth to each other, as well as resourcefulness, compassion, empathy, and humility.
- Strong interpersonal relationships are critical to resilient teams. Empathy replaces blame and individualism, as people care for one another even when things don’t go their way. Team members also know how and when to ask for help, rather than pretending they alone have all the answers.
- Additional traits shared by resilient people and teams are adaptability, purpose and creativity. They are defined by an unwavering acceptance of reality, a sense that their work is meaningful, and a strong ability to improvise when needed.
Steps to Team Resiliency
To build a resilient team, start by developing individual resiliency skills. Focus on fostering emotional intelligence and innovative thinking. Areas to zero in on include:
- The ability to empathize: Contrary to what some may think, empathy can be taught and developed. It’s critical to spend time cultivating personal relationships with and between leaders and team members and keeping them equipped with the necessary tools to handle difficult situations.
- Reducing bias: Take whatever steps are necessary to continue addressing issues related to conscious or unconscious bias in your workplace. Guard against it in your hiring processes, your policies, and the day-to-day environment at your organization.
- Maintaining a sense of humor: There’s a time and a place for it, of course, but levity, fun and laughter can go a long way toward strengthening team ties. To err is human and in doing so, if you can laugh at yourself, you’ll be fine. It’s a sign of team resiliency and maturity.
- Building communication skills: With challenges come the potential for stress and conflict. Teams made up of individuals with strong communication skills are better equipped to work through confrontation and other difficult situations.
The workforce development experts at PrideStaff Modesto are ready to partner with you to build, strengthen and continuously improve your team and business, positioning you for resiliency and ongoing competitive success. Reach out to us today to learn more.
